Dear Christian Songwriter,
I would like to ask you to stop writing songs.
It is clear that most of you have not experienced the pain and tragedy of life, and until you do, your songs are empty and void of meaning. Sure, you can put together a nice melody which causes people to hug and sway, but is this really what you want to accomplish through your music? If so, then ignore the rest of this letter.
But if you want your music to actually connect with people–including men–I have a few suggestions.
First, Jesus is not my boyfriend.
Jesus and I are friends, but as a man, I don’t really want to be in his arms, feel his breath on my cheek, or lay my head on his chest.
These songs make me shiver. And not in a good way.
I don’t want to hold his hand, sit on his lap, or kiss him. What’s next? A lap dance for Jesus?
Second, enough already with the blood.
I don’t want to sing about fountains of the precious blood of Jesus. Such an image belongs in a horror movie, not in a church song…unless you’re going for horror, then it might be appropriate.
I mean, if you want to write a Gothic, soul-shrieking song about his torture and death on the cross, fine. But don’t write a tune that sounds like you are dancing on the rainbows, and then pair it with lyrics about blood and gore. It just doesn’t work.
Third, more pain please.
I know, I know. Church songs are supposed to be uplifting and encouraging. But do you want to know what is really uplifting and encouraging?
People who deal with reality.
Most of the people in the pews are facing intense amounts of pain, loneliness, despair, hurt, fear, depression, heartache, loss, anger, frustration, bitterness, resentment, and _________ (fill in the blank for the next two pages).
When we write songs about being “happy, happy, happy all the time” it makes people just feel worse. They think, “Am I really supposed to be happy all the time? I’m not. What is wrong with me?” And then their pain, loneliness, despair, hurt, fear, depression, heartache, loss, anger, frustration, bitterness, resentment, etc., etc., only gets worse.
If you songwriters are not experiencing this kind of pain, then you should stop writing songs. Can there be happy, joyful songs? Yes, but only in the midst of the pain.
Some song suggestions.
To see what kind of songs I’m looking for, read the songs David wrote. You can find them in the middle of your Bible.
The first 100 or so are full of pain, loneliness, despair, hurt…etc. I think if he were writing songs today, they might go something like this:
I hate him God, I hate him!
Slash his tires,
May his house start on fire.
Let him get sick and die!
As I write those suggested lyrics, I am imagining a wailing grunge guitar, with some angry thrashing on the drums, and a guy screaming into the microphone.
Or maybe this:
Where are you God?
You said you will never leave.
But I don’t see you,
And so I don’t believe.
That melody would have the wistful feeling of being lost. A sense of discordant searching, but never settling or finding the right tempo and beat.
And I know these aren’t the best lyrics, but I’m not a songwriter. You are.
One more suggestion. You know what songs I would really like to hear? Songs from the perspective of orphans and widows who have been sold into sex slavery. Songs from prostitutes who are still selling themselves. Songs of drug addicts who have not been delivered. Do any of them still believe in God? If so, what do they sing? I think that would be the most beautiful and moving music ever.
Myself and a friend were discussing something very similar to this…we heard it in a song played on a very popular christian radio station, but I’ve heard it many other times in a few specific bands.
It’s that whole “ride the fence” songwriting thing. The song we heard yesterday, we listened about halfway through, and I couldn’t tell if it was a song to Christ, or to the girl’s boyfriend! We poked fun for a bit…but then talked about this same topic. I don’t like that some bands do a VERY good job at being too vague with their songs, leaving it up to the listener to decide. You’re just as likely to hear it as a song on AIR1 as you are to hear two 14 year olds calling it “their song”. It’s upsetting.
This is a little bit of a soap box when it come to certain secular tunes played on christian radio stations….no bueno.
I think I heard a song like this recently too. As I listened, I couldn’t tell if he was singing to Jesus or his girlfriend.
A while back I read or heard something from Michael Frost about this. I wish I could remember what it was and where. I seem to recall he has a chapter in a book or maybe he did a talk at a church called “Jesus is not my girlfriend.” If anybody knows where this is, let me know!
I’m sure there are other times he has discussed it, so this might not be the instance you remember, but I know Frost discusses his issue with ‘Jesus is my boyfriend’ songs in the ‘Dangerous Songs’ section of “Exiles.” It’s a pretty good book, though it seemed to me that the further you got in the book the less it became about discussing interesting ideas about applying Christian ideals in the society we find ourselves in and more it became a lot of his personal prescriptions for what needs to be done and a venting of his worst pet peeves, filled with just a bit to much anger. I need to be careful with my criticisms though, I provide a lot more detail to what I take exception too than what I found valuable, I really do mean it when I say overall it was a good read.
Thanks John. Yes, I think I wrote this post after I read that chapter from “Exiles.” It is a great chapter.
I will agree that many songs are in fact empty. Simple choruses repeated over and over again to changing dynamics and intensifying melodies. However, there is the blood that must be shed for many and was shed by Jesus Christ.
I write songs from experience and pain and a passion for the Lord.
If you recall, John reclined against Jesus and he wasn’t gay. He was close to his best friend. Nothing wrong with that. We see him standing with Mary at the cross, which was dripping with blood.
I’m not sure what Bible you teach from. It’s a bloody book. Blood is our ransom, from a loving savior. No religion can change that for me. I am a One God tongue talking apostolic who believes Jesus is God in flesh (John1:1,14) I also believe that he shed his for me and that he covers me so that the accuser can not condemn me of my sin.
I will lean on the Lord because he is the only one who hold onto me and keep me from falling.
This is my pain from loss to cancer.
https://soundcloud.com/kendra-st-john/quiet-strength
May you see the priceless blood and know the everlasting arms of love that he extends to you.
yes, he is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Peace and love in Christ.
Kendra
amen sister kendra…amen!
Praise His Holy Name..the Name Above All Names…JESUS!!!
mmm.
thanks.
I’ve always felt very unconfortable that so much christians could be paid as musicians and earn their lives with it… while we have so many brothers/sisters who live in the midst of terrible persecutions… and we have just around us thousands of poor
when christian get enough wealthy to have so many radio stations, and so many “creator” who live by this industry, there is a problem.
it reminds me all the spirituality around the religious buildings in the middle-age…
where is the humility of the cross??
it says to the world: “look at us. how good we are. we make music as good as yours, so that our people can be entertained too.”
I throw away almost all my “christian music” about 8 years ago, feeling that paying 20$ for my own pleasure and to isolate me culturally more from the world around me was completely innapropriate.
I don’t say everybody sould do the same. just follow your conscience
Good point. Of course, it’s not just music. It’s also the publishing industry, the conference circuit, etc.
I guess I don’t mind all these things so much except when, as you point out, it seems to be an attempt to get the world to like us.
Nothing wrong with being paid. Look at Richard Mullins. He paid his bills and gave the rest to his church. He was quite a humble person. Another was Keith Green.
I love the old music that meant something.
I write not primarily for pay, I’m not paid yet. But if I were Christ would get the glory. I’m not touring but sharing and encouraging. I write lyrics that matter. I can’t do but pray for those who suffer. I hope they see the spiritual healing and the peace that comes from Christ.
Herein lies the rub. I’ll grant that it’s an over generalization to suggest that most Christian musicians haven’t yet experienced the angst of doubt and despair, but once you get paid to record a song you have to record the song that gets you paid. It’s why Johnny Lang refuses to be pigeonholed as a Christian musician because of a very faith-filled album he put out some years ago. He knew it would mean the death of his career if he accepted the moniker of “christian artist”. There’s some cheese on that album, but there’s also some real hurt and soul there too.
What I’m clambering on about is that I blame the industry. There’s no room in the christian music industry for heartfelt angst, depression, and grief. It’s all syrupy sweet bs that takes the image of Christianity one step further down the road of ridiculousness reinforcing the cultural mindset that if I want to partner with Jesus then I need to get my act together first. If I were to hear one more song in my lifetime about the gentle caress of my savior I think I’d jam a spoon in my left eye socket.
However, to each their own. I say let the industry stay the way it is continuing to give out Dove awards to Michael W. Smith each year just like they did when I was in high school in the mid 80’s. I don’t think I should expect any of these listeners to jump over to my Cage the Elephant station on Slacker and dial up “Backstabbin’ Betty”. Their faces would melt. That’s cool. To each they’re own.
What I’m saying is that if you want angst and searching and reality you need to jump ship. Music is about exploring one’s inner universe…not about a constant reaffirmation of what you “think” you already know. If you ask me, I’ll tell you that my Jesus listens to Adult Alternative on Slacker and has a special affinity for Train’s “if it’s love” http://youtu.be/BO7rcjnevww . Seriously, I have chosen to be a realist.
Realist – Someone who accepts the world as it really is and not as they wish that it was.
Philosophical rant: baby-boomers checked out of during the early sixties on through the seventies. They did some crazy rebellion, but they also cranked out a ton of meaningful music and shifted the paradigm entirely. But what we see in Christian music today is, in part, due to the conservative society’s rejection of the boomers and the “hippies” rejection of the conservative mindset. Christian music is 50 years behind the curve because hippies developed their soulful, searching, visceral music during a time of war and upheaval and spoke the truth without regard for the musical mores of the time. They just did what felt real.
….or maybe I’m hallucinating again…
Awesome, awesome comment. Maybe you are right. Just let “Christian music” go the way of emptiness, and turn to stations that are actually singing about pain. I listen almost completely to my local Rock Alternative station now…or, dare I say it? – country.
Some of the songs by Pink, Nickleback, The Fray, Linkin Park, and others have become lifesongs for me. I’ll check out “If It’s Love.” I can’t recall if I’ve heard it or not.
Jeremy,
Great thoughts. I can stand pretty much any genre of music, but at least be clear who and what you are singing about.
I do think there are a few artists out there who really write from their hearts, but they don’t usually get much airplay. Todd Agnew is one of my favorites, with lines like “I cannot believe I’m this dirty, I’m ashamed to even ask to be clean” and “my Jesus would never be accepted in my church, the blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet” what’s not to love. I also like Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns and Downhere. If you have not heard Stained Glass Mascarade by Casting Crowns of The Real Jesus by Downhere, you should definately search them on YouTube and listen.
I really tend to listen to music that pokes a stick in the eye of the traditional church. But then I also tend to like teachers who do the same. The music I listen to now is stuff that pushes me toward genuine relationship with others and Jesus.
Your Brother In Christ,
FedEx,
President,
Men of Praise Motorcycle Ministry
I haven’t heard the one by Todd Agnew or Downhere. I will check them out. I loved that album by Casting Crowns you refer to. I listened to it almost every day when I was going through some of my darkest times. The entire album was full of pain and rejection that people experience in life.
The one song still gets me…”I was sure by now, that you would have reached down, and wiped my tears away. Stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say ‘Amen” and it’s still raining….” That’s the way I feel all the time.
But then in subsequent albums, I think they kind of “sold out.” The recent album is just “happy” “praise Jesus” “Hallelujah” songs. These are great for getting people to hug and sway, but are empty of content.
I have some music that needs to be published one of my sons dont sing no ore and the other one sang until he died early in 2014 of metastiscised melanoma cancer. i have all their songs and lyrics, HELP
Thanks for posting this.hehehe
I partly agree here. The main problem I have with a lot of contemporary christian music, is they try to leave Christ out of it.
I believe your characterization of david and the Psalms is a little off. David wrote about pain and sorrow, but he almost always brought it back to love for God, and how God was his protector, provider, etc… Even in his psalms written at times he was running for his life. I don’t always see that as much different than what many Christian artists do today.
By the way, there are plenty of great songs about suffering, our own imperfect nature and the hypocrisy that many of us display in our daily lives. The problem isn’t necessarily with the artists. It’s often with the listeners. We listen to a station to “be fed”.
Unfortunately, Christians, like many Americans, often prefer to eat a light meal and then gorge on dessert; the gooey crap that makes us feel good for a while, rather than the meat and potatoes that can fuel us in our everyday walk to be productive for the kingdom. Growth is painful. Challenging ourselves is hard.
So until people stop listening to dessert, and eating their vegetables and lean mean — metaphorically speaking — you’ll won’t have as much of the music you’re looking for.
I can always hope for some of these songs. There are a few artists out there that get it sometimes…though not all of them are “Christian.”
LOL! Say it like it is, Jeremy. For me, I’m more inspired by the melody, so the old hymns move me in a way that contemporary music somehow can not.
I have a friend who wrote her first Christian blog post more than a month ago and then hasn’t posted since then. Asked why, she said she doesn’t want to post when in the midst of dark emotions. But that’s precisely why I think she ought to write. These apply to writing songs as well:
1) If you let your turbulent circumstances silence your praise, Satan has won.
2) If you only ever write after the rainbow has come out, your Pollyanna tone will be harder to relate to.
3) If you don’t write to clarify your thoughts, you’re missing out on one of life’s best cathartic methods.
Maybe a blog post would convince her to begin posting again. Shall you write it, or shall I? Maybe we both can!
There are so many people out there in pain right now, it is helpful to see that others are going through similar suffering. Go ahead and write a post encouraging her to write, and when you do, let me know about it so I can read it.
Great post to stir up some debate here, but I think you are only focusing on PART of what David wrote in the Psalms. Yes there were imprecatory prayers, but they were not prayed so David could be vindicated, but so God could be glorified. Sure, we can leave the blood out of our songs, but then we should also take it out of our Bibles. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sins.” This is why the Bible calls it the “precious blood” of Christ. If Jesus Himself thought it was that important to talk about the blood over and over again, then maybe we should sing about it. I think the problem is that these horror movies have glorified violence to the point that it’s all we can picture in our minds when someone mentions the blood of Christ. I agree that most great songs were sung out of pain. “How Great Thou Art” was written after a man lost his children, and “O Love that Will not Let me Go” was written after a man lost his finacee because he was going blind and she did not want to be married to a blind man. But the songs they wrote were songs of hope and about how much God loves us in spite of our circumstances. To me, that is the true paradox in writing songs in the midst of hurt. You can either give in to the pain and write about how much every stinks, or you can see God in it all and thank praise Him for His was are higher than our ways.
So many songwriters want to sing about hope without the pain, anger, fear, and frustration of life. Hope can only come after we take a hard look at life. And I’m not against talking about or even singing about the shed blood of Jesus. It just needs to be in the proper context.
I hadn’t heard that story about “How Great Thou Art” though I did hear a similar story about the hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.”
I’m responding to a blog entry that’s a few years old, so I’m not sure anyone will read this.
I’ve been writing songs since 2007, but I’m not a professional in the sense that I make any money from doing so. At the same time, I’m much more of a conduit than an artist. They come to me and I polish and record them. I’ve never once worked hard at creating lyrics. That’s a good thing, because I’m inherently lazy.
I’ll turn 73 in July, so I’ve lived enough to have known hardship and difficulties. I’ve become a person who is both empathetic and thankful to have survived intact. Very happy in a long-term marriage, I’m a content and settled person.
It’s in that context that I find myself having written my first Christian song. I didn’t set out to do so, but my faith allowed me to see it as a gift and follow it through to completion.
What is one to make of that process? In a way, it shields me from criticism. To paraphrase the immortal Hank Williams, I just “wrote it down”. But it also gives the song more credence (in my mind, at least) because the impetus to create it came from a force greater than me.
And when the message arrives in that fashion, as it turns out, it’s not contrived or convoluted or strident. It’s merely a simple and heartfelt reminder to love and be concerned for others who may be in need. I embrace the concept because it’s how I truly feel and try to live my life.
Again, though, I can’t take much credit. Had I sat down to try to “write a Christian song”, I’d still be staring at a blank page.
Clay, I read every comment left on this post, and try to respond to every one also (though that is getting very difficult to do…)
Anyway, I am glad you are writing songs, and especially songs that come from your convictions and beliefs. I guess my main concern in this post was that some Christian authors seem to not want to be genuine with their fears and struggles. Maybe they truly don’t have any! But I do. If I wrote songs, I would write from the place of fear and pain, which is a place where so many people live. Keep writing, my friend!
I in my area of the world, people tend to declare blind faith as though it is the reality God expect of them. you go out in the rain and believe by faith that the Lord’s servant would not be made wet by the rain. so is most of the christian songs sang in my country. Really if I should write a song or poem, I should know that for every change of pain for a rosy lyric, God knows my heart, and if he would love my poem, he would want it to be an outburst of who I really am and what I feel.
glad you posted this, I always thought all these things too. I thought I was just crazy!
You’re not crazy. Most Christian music is crazy.
I like to listen to Scripture songs http://www.agape3music.blogspot.com
Much of the music, like many of the churches, have become so seeker sensitive that they’re portraying only a little corner of a portrait of our Savior.
This is true. Empty church music is a result of seeker sensitive churches who also provide empty teaching.
Good post. I often think the same things sometimes about Christian music. I love it and listen to it all the time, but I’m with you in thinking that many of these artists aren’t realistic when it comes to the pain and suffering in life. Although, sometimes I’m caught off guard. The group Selah sings a song called “Unredeemed” and admittedly, when I first heard it, thought it was full of some cliche words and empty. But, then I watched a clip where one of the singers spoke about having recently lost his daughter and the song had a lot of meaning to him. That’s why in Christian music, I really like the artists who do talk about their struggles and don’t pretend that their walk with God is all peas and carrots.
That’s interesting about Selah. I wonder how many of the songs that sound empty might have a lot of meaning if we knew the back story…
I am a young Christian songwriter. I am only 16 years old and the amount of pain that i have felt in my life is at a minimum compared to others. I write my songs about what God lays on my heart and I ,likewise, feel mostly moved by a song when it is about the pain and suffering of the people in this world. Or, as i like to call it, the real stuff. Yes, there is happiness in Christ, but people need to know that even in their darkest days that there is beauty in their pain. I know I have been called into the music ministry. It’s very scary to think about sometimes but im ready to share, what God wants me to say, with this broken world. I have only writen 6 songs, but God has already used them. It’s crazy to think that God would choose me, a terrible sinner, to spread His word through song, but none of the words in my songs come from me. I could never write a song alone. I could never come up with a decent strumming pattern on my guitar alone. It’s all God. I think when Christian songwriters come to the realization of the tremendous blessing it is to share Gods word through song and to share true life experiences through song that the music ministry will be better off. I have not yet made a cd or even played a real gig, but i pray when the time does come that i can hold strong to the truth that God has told me so young. That I am nothing without Him. But because He is so gracious He allows me to call Him Father! We are the chosen generation!!
Thank you, Nycole.
Do you have any music on YouTube or elsewhere that we can go listen to?
Thanks!
I haven’t put them on YouTube yet but I might soon. They are only on my Facebook, which is set to private.
Ok. So friends of yours on Facebook can see them?
I have to agree. Contemporary Christian music has never really resonated with me in more ways than one. I never cared much for the music itself, and the lyrics just seemed superficial to me. Not to mention the lack of diversity in both the music and the artists. In fact, there are only a handful of Christian artists/music that I have ever truly enjoyed. And, in most part it was because I simply liked their sound. Instead, music like the blues, soul/R&B, and country music all seem to accurately convey the hurts, raw grit, and emotion of the broken human condition. Artists like Johnny Cash and Aretha Franklin come to mind. Along with Waylon Jennings and Ray Charles. Willie Nelson and Tina Turner. Artists who faced a troubled life that began with their childhood and only carried on to their adulthood. Granted, some of their problems were made manifest by their poor choices, but aren’t we all victims of our poor choices?
Not only is Christian music bad in most part (although I think it’s getting better), but Christian film seems to be the cheesiest. I am ashamed at where Christian “art” has gone. There was a time when some of the best art in the world were performed and created by Christians. But, it seems we became so obsessed with right behavior, right theology, and right beliefs, that everything else was dumped out the window, including music, art, and film.
I think Christianity would make a better name for itself if it improved upon it’s image in more ways than one. God is beautiful. And what He did on the cross by taking something so sinister and dark (the cross) and turning it into something so glorious is something very profound. God is an artist. Have you ever looked at an amazing sunset, or a beautiful garden? If God is beautiful and appreciates beauty and excellence, then so should we.
Greg,
Fantastic points. I have often learned the most amazing things about God, Jesus, sin, righteousness, salvation, and church by listening to the soul-wrenching and gritty real-life songs of some secular Country and Rock/Alternative artists.
And I’m with you on the movies. Although, as you say, we are getting better….
Christians should be some of the most creative and honest people on earth because of the God we love and serve.
I have not followed your blog for all that long but one of the things I have appreciated is that your presentations tend to be thoughtful, objective and respectful. I have to say that this blog was a complete change from that pattern. Perhaps you’re just writing from a place of great angst but the tone of this blog seems very judgemental and condemning.
“…stop writing songs.” Really? If a person’s blog post(s) does nothing to stir your spirit and seems to you to be empty and void of real meaning do you suggest that they stop writing a blog?
Let me say right up front that I don’t have a favorite genre of music and believe that Christian music can be good or bad based primarily on the content. And I agree with the comments made that there are some serious issues within the Christian music industry. But some of your generalizatons miss the mark.
From my experience, hymns make reference to the blood of Christ much more frequently than newer songs do. But I agree with you that context is the key. And while David was not shy about expressing his angst, he usually concludes such Psalms with a summary such as “But I will trust You” or “Yet still I will praise you.”
Without knowing some of the artists or songs you are specifically referring to it’s hard to comment; but the general observations you make don’t describe the bulk of Christian music I listen to or am exposed to. Perhaps the local regions we live in vary in what gets more air time.
As for songs with real-life grit Rich Mullins was one of the best. Andrew Peterson has a very similar style as well. “Beauty Will Rise” by Steven Curtis Chapman is one of the most powerful CD’s out there; written after the accidental death of their youngest adopted daughter.
I agree that there is much that needs to be dialogued about regarding the realm of Christian music/worship songs and I applaud you for addressing the topic; but I think you’ll get more meaningful dialogue with an atmosphere that is more respectful and less accusatory.
Rick,
This post was actually written several years ago when I was indeed going through a very difficult time in my life, and nearly every top Christian song that hit the radio sounded empty and meaningless, as if those who wrote them had never experienced any real pain or hardship.
So…. guilty as charged!
But I do agree with you. There are some artists out there who touch on the pain, the doubt, and the troubles of life. Along with the ones you listed, I have also benefited from Casting Crowns
. That album got me through a lot of pain.
I understand! And I appreciate your honesty and transparency!
Amen to Rich Mullins!
I miss him; and his lyrics would prob. be just as real (and speaking from the pain of life) if he were still alive and writing now (being older, of course).
I suppose he hasn’t been getting older for over a decade now, since he’s outside the realm of time (marked by our aging bodies and physical universe).
But he’s part of that “great cloud of witnesses” (if I’m understanding that reference correctly… in context, etc.), and “We’ll be together again.” [a song written and performed by his Ragamuffin brothers]
“The peace of Christ to you” all,
– M.
Rich Mullins did have some great, honest, hard hitting lyrics.
Matthew West takes it to a whole new level, he takes the stories of others as inspiration to write his and many others lyrics and music.
I will check him out. I have not heard of him….
I was actually going to make the same recommendation. Particularly his album, The Story of Your Life. Every song is biographical in nature, and was prompted by testimonial letters he received from people. My two favorites are Family Tree and Two Houses. Family Tree was inspired by a woman whose father left her to chase a homosexual lifestyle and contracted AIDS after a volatile relationship with her mother, and Two Houses is about a person wrestling with his parent’s divorce and the platitudes he received. I think the album is up your alley, lyrically speaking.
I checked my wife’s iTunes, and she has already downloaded a few of his songs. They are real, just as you said. I will listen to a few of the others!
At first I was scared to look at the comments, thinking you would be getting lambasted for lambasting. Of course I’d be scared to put it so bluntly, but I know exactly what why you feel strongly about it. Great to read your perspective and the responses.
Sometimes I feel lost in the vast volumes of songs. And I’m just baffled by the assumption that worship equals singing, and therefore we must always sing a few songs in order to meet with each other properly.
Esther,
Yes, I was pretty harsh in my post, and have softened somewhat now… But you are right that worship does not equal singing. There are so many ways to worship God, and singing is only one of them!
Hi, I just Stumbled across this site I’m actually looking for a song writer whos songs will stand out above the rest! I have a daughter who is wanting to sing Christian music that will make an impact on the younger generation! She is very passionate about making a difference and I believe feels the same! Toby Mac etc. are the groups she likes but also listens to up beat other music that teens listen too! If you know of any one who is a writer that writes up beat 2015 style music please let me know!! She wants to make a demo that we can push that will make a difference today! Thanks so much!
Victoria,
I hope you find somebody! Does your daughter have a website if someone wants to contact her?
I have experienced the pains and tragedy of life. During the time of my pains and tragedy I wrote over 3000 new songs. None of these songs have been produced as I write.
My name is Matthew, I had a terrible experience in 1991 where
satan attacked me while I was sleeping in the night. That experience kept me on my kneel for three years. It was
my moment of darkness and also happened
to be the most memorable and defining moment of my life. While on my kneel
during those day and night for three
years, I heard and wrote down over 3000 new christian songs. I was hearing the
angels singing these songs to me. After I was healed, I picked up and put
together the broken pieces of life and
continue my my evangelistic ministry. I have been missionary for 18 years. I
have also spiced up my education as I’m presenting doing my Master Degree of
Business Admnistration at the University of Leicester. I have written and
published 12 christian books all available at Amazon.com and presently present
my own program HEALING POWER with Matthew Oye at Faithword tv.
email:
su************@ya***.uk
I’m presently based in London. Should any individual/recording company want to produced the songs can contact on my email:
su************@ya***.uk
Jeremy I came across your site tonight while doing a search. As a christian and singer/songwriter, I thought I’d post a link to a few very rough home video recordings (recorded during a time of depression!!!) You can find me on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UWoAr2qyAE
I’ll look forward to your comments. I’ll be taking a look at some of your posts soon.
I was just talking to my friend about this yesterday..and came across your letter to Christian songwriters..glad to know I’m not the only one.
There are lots of us out here!
Hey Jeremy, I listen to K-Love christian radio and there are times I can’t take it anymore, feeling like all the artist are from the same mold. But for the most part the songs and artist really minister to me and my family. My daughter is in college (TCU, Texas Christian College) and she was inspired by “write His story” by Francesca Battistelli, and she felt compelled to sing and play this song at a fund raiser for a mission trip. It was so anointed with Gods presence and I felt compelled to praise Him through the whole song. Both my daughters and I are singer/songwriters who are always being inspired to write songs to and for the Lord and I am especially impressed with Christian song writers today in the way they glorify our Lord Jesus. Recently I was brought to tears by “Let them see you” by JJ weeks band which was the artist prayer long before it became a song. Songs like “Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave and “I need a Miracle” by Third Day, which talks about a man contemplating suicide who hears God calling him from a song on the radio, resulting in him accepting Christ. A song from the 70’s by Keith Green called “Make my life a pryer to you” is one of my all time favorite song that comes from much pain and suffering in life. I myself have a CD that took many years to produce that came from struggling between my will and His will, and many highs and lows of drug abuse and sexual conflict and depression. Thank you Jeremy for a platform to respond, God bless you!! Try track 3, called “A Stronger Love” at stevemillermusic.com
Stephen,
Thanks for the recommendations! I do believe that many bands and musicians are starting to break out of the mold. May their tribe increase! I will listen to the songs you suggest, including your own!
Firstly, we in the churches that most proudly claim to be “Bible-based” have lost sight of the Bible. We have reduced scripture to a pick-and-mix random collection of isolated pep-pills and magic spells. “Got problem X? Simple! Look at verse Y. Problem solved! Abracadabra. (Oops, sorry, I meant ‘alleluia’.)” And we call that “biblical”. I don’t see anything in scripture where scripture uses itself like that. Does it?
For the last few decades, our church leadership, both ministerial and musical (and including our ministerial training colleges), has completely lost sight of the centrality of the full, systematic use of the book of Psalms in Christian worship.
How ironic (no, how damnably shameful) that scripture’s very own songbook of worship is the very one that we, by our omission of it, have, in effect, tossed out of the window and trampled underfoot. What Would Jesus Say?
Secondly, emotionalism. Even if we haven’t sold our soul to the “prosperity gospel”, we have drugged it into feel-good “worship” highs. We then have the temerity to apply our own labels such as “mightily anointed” (i.e. “I’m right, so if you disagree then you’re in opposition to God”) to this Disney-esque Sunday morning escapism. At this point, would scripture really use our chosen label “anointed”? Or, were we actually to read scripture in its fullness, might we read its label “idolatry”?
Thirdly, we have lost the distinction between music for passive listening (the “Christian” music business of the “Hillsongs Hallelujah Hot-hits” factory etc.) versus what actually works for we ordinary folk in the pew actively to sing for ourselves. Church has become an entertainment event, where the band perform and the congregation lift their heads, raise their hands, close their eyes, smile a sickly sweet smile and feel oh so good (and “anointed”).
Summary:
1. We need our (supposedly) Bible-based church leaders to recover the discipline of taking us systematically through the Psalms, whether we like them or not, whether we think they’re nice or not, and whether we understand them or not.
2. We need to meet with the Christ who insists that we take up our cross and follow him.
3. We need our lead musicians to go acoustic and let us, the congregation, rediscover the fullness of our singing voice for our songs.
Good, in depth comment. I agree with the diagnosis for the most part. I am just a big concerned about the prescription though. I think what you suggest may work in some settings, but not all. Also, the suggestion seems perilously close to what you describe in the first paragraph: “Have a problem X? Here’s the solution Y!”
Jeremy, thanks for that, its so true. Just the other day i was thinking very fearfully whether the minister of the new church i go to would appreciate the kind of worship songs i like to write, then i thought thats how i want to do it, a big pedalboard full of effects, say the truth of how it is in reality, because I hate all these modern new songs they call gospel, with all these sweet words to keep people sweet between the pews. When i read what you wrote you gave me some strength to be what i am, in ways of expression, thanks to you i will be taking a much different coarser course in my songwriting. I BEAR WITNESS TO YOUR TRUE TRUTHS. GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER.
I enjoyed your article and POV. I am a contemporary Christian singer/songwriter performing concerts in local churches.
The Lord seems to lay songs on my heart that “convict” me and other Christians about people we may tend to overlook. Also songs to inspire Christians through daily struggles in their lives.
You can listen to my music at: http://www.reverbnation.com/epettersen
I would appreciate it if you would listen to “Where’s the Change?”
Hopefully, it can move you in ways that other Christian music doesn’t seem to be able to.
Thanks for listening…
Thanks, I’ll check it out.
This song came to me last week. I’ve never tried to create one that specifically addresses matters of faith, but then I’ve always been a conduit rather than an artist. I’m not sure how I would “sit down and write a song”.
Whatever lyrics I receive seem to express my true feelings, though. I wouldn’t bother to record anything that didn’t.
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=12769234&q=hi&newref=1
Clay,
Great song! I listened to it. Beautiful. Heart wrenching. Hopeful.
It reminds me a bit of “Waiting for a Miracle” by Leonard Cohen.
I prefer songs that tell stories of the Bible. It’s a great way for new Christians to understand the thread of both Old and New Testament. Much emotion can come through the medium of music.
You might like to take a quick view of my own Bible Musical; there are some songs to hear.
http://www.bibleinanhourmusical.org.uk
I strongly disagree with you’r very subjective view. Who are you to canonize each and every song written by gifted people in whom God has called to share his word through song and music?
The KJ song that you lash out at shows that you know nothing about the Biblical account of a woman who brought her most valuable possession, an Alabaster Box, in which she broke open and bathed the feet of Jesus with her hair. Her action was FULL of passion in so much that she literally washed his feet with her hair.
The rebuke from the crowd present was liken to your rebuttal of one of the songs that turned my life around. They demanded this woman to stop. Go there with me, imagine the scene, picture the men who felt uncomfortable with this gesture, the economics analyst who thought it was a waist of money. Focus your attention on the woman’s hair brushing the feet of a man who has walked hundreds of miles on roads made of dirt. Her worship was sacrificial, honest, from her heart and what she felt in her heart was “her way” of worship. Yet Jesus, commended the woman’s sacrifice and openness to ridicule by those who were too shallow to understand that we are the bride of Christ. Yes, I am a male worship leader and writer and not once in all the times that I have ever played or heard this incredible song, have I viewed it through the eyes of pervert. As far as to deny the blood being mentioned in a Christian song is to deny the very foundation of why we can even write to begin with. You contradict yourself and coming from years of leading worship music and literally crying as I sing about His great sacrifice, you are telling me that to do so is to take away from a hooker’s pain? That blood that you want to omit out of Christian Music, is her only hope at restoration. God forbid that anyone listen’s to your sacrilegious adulterated advice, I will never abandon my open relationship/devotion to God “I will Kiss His Feet” I will declare that “I love him with my mind, body, and strength”, Moreover I will never ever forsake the TRUTH and that is that “Jesus came into this world and died for our sins”, HE only He was perfect and without sin and the blood he shed is the very reason and hope for the orphan, drug pusher, sex slave, etc. etc. for if it had not been for His blood, there is nothing to write ABOUT! Maybe you are the one who shouldn’t be writing Worship music and maybe get a job in an “Oliver Twist” production, it just may be that the Cross is just a little to heavy for you to carry.
Is your comment directed at me? I cannot make much sense of what you are saying.
I make no claim to canonize certain songs. Do you know what the word “canonize” means?
And do you honestly think I “know nothing” about Matthew 26:6-9?
And then what is this strange comment about Oliver Twist at the end? Are you talking about the book by Charles Dickens?
What post are you reading? Your comments were not related to this post. Jeremy does not claim to write worship music, and nowhere lashed out at any specific song.
If worship music is your passion, great! But please realize that many of us do not like it, do not relate to it, and stay away from those places where we must be subjected to it.
Before you blast my last post for being stuck in the traditional methods of delivery of the salvation method, I would encourage you to listen one of the songs that I wrote, produced and recorded in my home studio; a far cry from your typical traditional style.
http://www.reverbnation.com/travismason4/song/18493119-all-yours
I typically try not to blast anyone… but I will come check out your song! Thanks.
I’ve been a professional musician since the age do 17. At 21 Christ saved me in the early 70’s. My desire was to reach out to those who were just like I used to be. People I listened to were such as Larry Norman and Randy Stonehill. I formed a band that eventually opened foe Barry McGuire, John Talbot and many others. I just couldn’t take the worship music, however for those who wanted only that I thought it was a great alternative style at the time. But the big wig record companies jumped in and took charge of all that was to be heard on record or radio. I turned down two record offers because of the red tape and the control they wanted of my music. So today I still write outreach music, in blues and folk. I have no interest in record companies. I play in prisons, rehabs, and concert venues that will let me play my songs. Jesus came to save sinners not the righteous.
Morris,
I applaud you for your courageous actions and willing to follow your heart and play the kind of music God wanted you to play.
It is becoming easier and easier for musicians these days to record and distribute their own albums. I don’t know much about it, but if you wanted to, you could probably do some google searches you could probably find a way to get your music out there for people to listen to online.
First off.. There is nothing wrong with christian music. I am a christian singer/ songwriter and i write beautiful songs all the time that i wouldn’t be able to write without Gods help of coarse. I can never explain how it feels to know that God chose me to spread his word through song and to tell the world that everythings not always pretty but with God you can do anything and that he will never give up on you.. The simple fact that you are human and you will make mistakes but all you have to do is ask for forgiveness and its that easy. He will forgive you and not hold a thing against you.. To tell how everything happens for a reason and maybe not how we like for it to happen but just how its Suppost to happen.. God has a reason for everything even if we dont understand it. I dont think there’s anything wrong with telling the world about how amazing Gods love is.. My life has not always been peachy and i have went through alot im sure there are some people who might have went through a bit more then me but God will never put more on you then you can handle. He loves you even when they devil makes you feel like your not Good enough.. You dont have to be perfect. God knows your heart. I have went through plenty and i am still going through stuff just like everybody else.. Being christian or loving God does not mean your always happy and it does not mean that nothing will ever happen to you because things will happy and you will be upset and angry at times just like everybody else. All it does is make you stronger and it shows you that you have someone on your side who loves you more then anyone else could and that when you have nobody he is there.. He will never leave you even in your darkest time of your life… God will always make a way through everything.. There is nothing he cant handle.. and if someone wants to write a song or listen to a song about how amazing he is there is nothing wrong with that. Maybe it gives them hope to know that one day after this messy life there’s something far greater waiting for them. whats so wrong with that?( Ephesians 5:1-5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.) also read (1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy)… This post is my opinion and is how i feel about this current topic.. No harm intended but i think it needed to be said.. thanks have a great day!
I couldn’t agree more with your third point about Christian artists not delving into the pain of existence in their songs. I earned an MFA in creative writing, and I learned that the most uniting, equalizing, and compelling factor of story telling and song writing is pain. However, Christian artists should never worship pain like many contemporary emo, metal, and grunge artists do. Rather, they should get into wrenching, disturbing, graphic details about the despair they’ve faced in life and THEN sing with tremendous joy about the peace and love that can come through Christ. As you said, David did something very similar to this. He often spent line after line delving into the darkness of his despair, but he always ended his songs with AND YET… then he went on to talk about the glory of God’s presence despite all of the pain.
If you or your readers are looking for some artists who I think get close to this, here are a few to look into:
* Todd Agnew (Especially “My Jesus” I can’t help but be touched by the line “he spent his time with thieves and sluts and liars”)
*Steven Curtis Chapman (As far as I know, he has yet to write songs that embrace some true pain, but he has felt it. A few years ago his daughter was killed when his son accidentally ran over her with his car, and Chapman provided a perfect testimony by holding strong in his trust in God).
* Andrew Peterson ( A great Christian acoustic artist who strives to tell humble stories of faith rather than just praising God in joy over and over again. Consider this lyric “SO you think you’re the only one to cry yourself to sleep, that you’re the only one scared that they’ll forget you when you leave, so you think you’re the only one whose heart is black and blue, listen, I’ve got news for you).
*Casting Crowns (They do a lot of the “I’m in love with Jesus” songs, but they also have plenty about trusting in God in the midst of the horrible circumstances of life. See “Praise you in this Storm”)
* Any bluegrass gospel ballad that started as a negro spiritual. (Now these artists knew about trust God in the midst of pain! Consider something like “We Shall Overcome” or “Swing Low”)
I think I know what you are driving at. Many of the songs the Lord has given me were birthed in the furnace of affliction and pain.
I invite you to have a listen: https://gordlang.bandcamp.com/track/if-id-never-felt-the-pain
or maybe this one: http://gordlang.bandcamp.com/track/if-i-told-you
Or here’s one for a reality check: https://gordlang.bandcamp.com/track/crowns-dont-come-easy
Let me know if this is what you were looking for.
Oh My!!! what a GREAT thread of conversation. Even now, four years after you posted we are commenting… you a really are one of the most successful bloggers I’ve come across…yeay for you. I love your heart. I totally agree with your perspective. One thought – I’m 60 years old. I have sung a lot of music over the years and lived through some powerful cultural transitions. It seems that songwriters are writing to the times and the Holy Spirit was directing each age to a new place in their journey with the Father. For example, I have faced many heart wrenching challenges in which I wished God would “just kill me now.” There were all kinds of songs on the “100 Worship songs list” and many that spoke to where I was at the time. And then, with breakthrough, healing, victory…happy dancing was all my heart would do. My opinion…is this – I don’t want Christian songwriters to stop writing but whatever they do, do it for the glory of God. Seeking the anointing over your work, resisting the performance mindset and if you do, God will use you to direct the generation of the day to the Hope we have in Christ.
Heather,
I am not that big of a blogger … but thanks for the praise.
Yes, I am with you. I don’t want Christian songwriters to stop. I do want them to live in the pain and doubt of real life, however, and not paint a portrait of following Jesus that is “Happy, happy, happy all the time.”
I’ve read through a lot of this thread. Christian writers used to write more heartfelt songs about the sacrifice, pain, and dedication it takes to be a follower of Christ. Most of them are in the southern gospel genre though. Guys like Gerald Crabb (through the fire , please forgive me), Dottie Rambo (tears will never stain the streets of that city, come spring) and Ronnie Hinson (that I could still go free, the lighthouse, look to Him). This new praise music fad and watered down the message. Its made reciting a piece of scripture over and over, that has no musical meter or rhyme, over top of a chord progression pass as a song. There are some rock acts like disciple who write hard edged lyrics, but they are few and far between
I laughed so hard when I read this blog entry. Just went to a Christian concert/worship service last night. My husband and I were discussing this very thing. I just started a blog that I call my listening room. The youtube video is just done with my ipnone, I am doing a series of them to tell my story through the songs I’ve written over the past decade. Hope you will check it out and enjoy.
http://www.kellyzwern.blogspot.com
Jeremy,
You have mentioned/made fun of several times “happy, happy, happy all the time.” I currently cannot think of any song with those lyrics but I do recall a child’s song with the lyrics:
“I’m so happy and here’s the reason why
Jesus took my burdens all away”
This is referencing that before a person puts their complete faith and trust in Jesus for salvation they are carrying burdens of sin, but Jesus can take those away! It doesn’t mean that hardships won’t come, but salvation gives hope! Without salvation there is no hope!
Secondly, the blood of Jesus Christ is incredibly important!!! I do not know of any songs talking about a “fountain of blood” but I do know that the Bible tells us in Hebrews 9 that without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin! Without Jesus shedding His blood, dying, and raising the third day from the dead, not a single person in this world would have any hope of life after death but would all be destined to eternity in hell! The blood of Christ was shed for you, Jeremy, so that you could have an opportunity to go to heaven!
Lastly, I would like to bring to light the story behind an “old time” Christian song you may have heard of…”It Is Well With My Soul.” You may have never heard of Horatio Spafford but he penned the words to the song “It Is Well With My Soul.” He penned these words while passing over the place in the Atlantic Ocean where just days before all four of his daughters had drowned in a shipwreck! It would seem strange that a person could pen such powerful words of love and faithfulness to God in the wake of such a tragedy, but when a person accepts Christ’s gift of salvation they are given a joy and peace that cannot be described! We may not always be happy about everything that goes on in our lives, but if we know the Saviour, as Spafford did, we can have true joy and peace that will sustain us through any trial! This is just one of many such stories of songs that were penned when the writer was going through an incredible trial in their life, and yet they something had a peace through it all! When secular song writers write about the hard times in their life they write about hopelessness, despair, revenge, and hate. But when a Christian writes about their hard times they write about joy, peace, contentedness, and comfort. What is the difference? The difference is not that Christian song writers do not go through hard times, many of them have gone through incredible tragedies! The difference is that a true Christian has hope, whereas, a non-Christian sadly has no hope. But the Lord sent His only Son to give us that hope, Jeremy! And every single person can have it…if we will simply receive it through complete faith and trust in Him!
“Happy All the Time” is a Christian children’s song. “There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood” is a (adult) Christian song.
I, too, as a Christian songwriter have struggled with what seems to be an emptiness in Christian music. You certainly have to be careful to whom you’re listening; songwriter’s (myself included) can’t resist adding some dogma that others may question. I would like to share the link to some songs I’ve written over the years, but out of respect for your blog post, I will ask first, and then only if you give the go ahead will I post it. But I think my lyrics would suit you more than what you’re hearing on Christian radio (Where are the Christian Oldies stations?).
Beyond music, I think the Christian church has more to worry about than music. There would seem to be a world-wide addiction to money that has gotten out of control and is really starting to show the direction it is headed: World Domination Through the Mark of the Beast. If Greece collapses, it won’t be long before other countries start to collapse. Our own country is so far in debt to China, we may never see daylight again. Cash will go away. I’ve been telling people for close to 30 years that it would take about 30-50 years for it to be accomplished. I started saying this back in 1988, and here it is 2015, and look at how the landscape has changed. Too much does the church defend the use of money, but if you read the scriptures you will find that God, especially Jesus, was not all that impressed with the world’s money. If it’s a non-issue, then why did Paul write to Timothy warning him that in the last days men would become lovers of themselves, and lovers of money, along with some other things, but people ignore this warning for what it really is, which is a sign post for the end-times.
I could say more, but I know I’m boring you. The subject is too extensive be covered in detail in a forum like this, anyway. Just remember this, you will defend that which you love. A word from the Holy Spirit to me from years ago; it applies to everyone. I will not be caught dead defending the money system! My defense is for the truth of the Gospel of the kingdom of heaven and Jesus the Christ, Son of God.
My songs I write are about personal experiences, But I always include God in my songs, And God wants us to be close with him, And why would it be bad to write about happiness? God is happiness, Christian songwriters including myself, Do write about fear and despair though, and how we got through the sadness with God by our side. Everybody goes through dark experiences in their life, But why would we want to hold on to those dark experiences when God got us through them, Then we write about happiness. Because that’s what God wants, Happiness.
Thankyou,
Reannah.
In response to the original letter about Christian songs being empty of meaning and causing people to hug and sway, you are right in that it is lop sided on the side of being all happy, happy all the time. Many songs are shallow and neglect quotation of deep truths from the bible. Christianity is a faith where suffering is promised as a test of your faith so your perseverance can be developed. (James 1:2-4). Heb 12 says God will punish everyone He accepts as His son. Jesus was the substitute sacrificial lamb whose blood had to be shed to be an acceptable sacrifice. Many Christians don’t notice that while a Christian is suffering they are praying for the suffering to go away but God lets them go through it to perfect their faith so people suffering in the pew makes a lot of sense to me. If your music dwells too much on any of the concepts just mentioned, it will cause the listeners to be lop sided in their thinking. By its nature, Christian praise music will have a tendency to be lop sided in the happy, happy, part if writers are not careful. Songwriters need comments like yours lest they fall into that trap. Life is tough even without God punishing us as sons.
Hi. Your post made me chuckle a few times and there is certainly some truth in it, particularly from the production-line style artists (I’m generally thinking the big church praise bands) who seem to produce so much stuff that it’s become incredibly generic.
I too have bought quite a few Christian albums of late where I’ve initially thought, wow, there are some great tunes on here, only to realise they seem purposefully vague to the point that they make more references to setting suns and emotions than anything Godly.
That said, I do disagree slightly with your hunger for angry, upset Christian songs. Maybe on personal albums, but not for worship purposes. Might just be me, but I find it jars to have albums where on one song the singer is proclaiming everlasting faith and joy and the next asking God for a sign.
And I don’t mean ‘let’s paper over the cracks here’ or pretend we’re happy when we’re not, I mean Christianity is surely about saying, yep, some of us are going through excruciating pain but God never claimed we wouldn’t, but throughout that pain I’m going to rest in God and trust there is better to come outside this life.
That’s what Christ is about surely? He may not be about to deliver us in the way we expect it, but he has already delivered us into eternal life.
As Christians, surely its our calling to show that point of difference – to say, hey, my life isn’t the best now and in fact life doesn’t seem fair, but I rest in God because he is good. And I think Christian artists probably have a responsibility to do that – to not paint a happy, prosperous picture, but to encourage people to find peace with God.
I think we’ve kind of lost sight of that type of faith, which is a shame because it’s the example that I think really shines a light out to say ‘hey, I am different’.
When disciples were being burnt at the stake and laughed at you’ll generally find they kept singing praise to their God to the end, not asking where God was, but trusting their peace was near. That’s seriously mind blowing faith and it has the power to change people.
Likewise, the Psalms do certainly display pain and suffering, as do books like Job, but they need to be taken in the context of the writer’s overall message – that while it seems sometimes that he’s forsaken us, God endures.
Now that’s not to relate them to the Christian artists you’re talking about because, quite honestly, I think they are, like any artist when they experience success, losing perspective.
What I’m saying is that Christian songs shouldn’t focus on us – be it happy, sad, angry, whatever – they should focus on God.
Yes, I agree that if the songs are angry or sad, they could then turn to praise or adoration, as many of the Psalms do that very thing. This then would be redemptive music. Again, I would be fine with that more than the happy, happy, happy all the time songs that we so often get today.
Also, while songs can focus on God, even there I would like some creativity. It seems that so many worship songs that focus on God are little more than, “I love you, God! I worship you! You are so great! You’re awesome! I love you!”
Hi Jeremy,
Here is a song which may be up your alley, lyrically speaking; it is ripped directly out of Psalm 102 and it was born during a really rainy day in the middle of our motorcycle trip. I didn’t set out to write a blues song but, dude… it’s a Psalm of lament!
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11554899
Damp Hamster
You would like The Jesus Record by Rich Mullins. The one that he recorded the demos for abut a week before he died in a car accident. His band did the rest and it is certainly one of my favorites. The song Hard To Get from this album comes to mind but you’ll never hear it on Christian Radio.
I think a lot of Paul Clark’s music too. I cannot listen to most CCM.
It is the same way in most Church services. I remember wondering “why is everyone else so happy”? “Everyone is smiling and happy. What is wrong with me?” Then I realized that I was smiling too. We are currently unchurched because every Church we try seems to either want to entertain us or teaches some bad theology, I can suffer neither easily. IIRC, the last Church we visited (it was a while back) had a “worship” band. We got there a little early, they were warming up with “Smoke On The Water”… there was a woman in the middle front standing up head banging and holding her hands up with devil horn signs. The whole message by the pastor was “bring someone the church with you next Sunday” I kid you not. He didn’t mention Jesus or anything about the gospel. I think these things are surely related. There is a Church plant here of the PCA (the conservative one). We are going to try that. I was hurt badly in my early Christian life by arminianism but God is faithful, I am not. I hurt. I doubt. I trust but through the pain.
Thank you. I hope people listen but I have my doubts.
Julien
Take the song The More I Seek You. this song is about a woman’s point of view of how Jesus is completely NOT perverted. She can trust Him in everything. She can rest all her emotions, feelings and cares on Him and she does not have to worry about anything. She can fully trust Jesus with everything. When I write songs about God and my walk with God. I to want to sing about my struggles with my walk, my hardship, my sufferings. But when go to present these song to people I stop and consider about what these songs are going to say to the unbeliever. all Christians have an obligation to be careful how we present Jesus to them. just as the Apostle Paul discusses in the bible. Also when you truly understand how much Jesus loves you and how much you are forgiven, you will see joy and forgiveness in yourself and will want to sing songs of happiness.
First point: “Jesus and I are friends, but as a man, I don’t really want to be in his arms” This statement is immature. There are many references of being held by God. By His arms. By His wings. By His hands. I think that maybe you shift your view of masculinity or affection because there is nothing wrong with expressing your love for God in this way. Though I kinda understand that the extreme of this is too much and can be distracting.
Second point: “I don’t want to sing about fountains of the precious blood of Jesus. Such an image belongs in a horror movie, not in a church song” Again…immature. If it wasn’t for the blood that was shed on the cross, our sins would not have been forgiven and atoned for. If you truly want an authentic expression of the christian lifestyle than it starts with the expression of gratitude for the blood that was shed for our sins. Again…an extreme obsession with blood is different. But songs like “Nothing like the blood,” “Jesus Blood,” or “O The Blood,” are wonderful and spirit filled songs that are conducive for worship to take place.
Third point: I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE. There should be more songs about the pain we face in our christian walks. BUT because we see this deficit in Christian music, we shouldn’t shun those who don’t speak on those matters but encourage them to dig deeper. In reality, all of the nice songs that the writer of this article hates are honest. Being in relationship with God is everything. It is great. It is amazing. It is awesome. But there are times we have other perspectives. Which is OKAY! It doesn’t mean that the nice perspectives aren’t true. In our christian, we face it all.
Overall, I think this article really means to encourage more songwriters to emerge and bring new points of view.
Last comment/post by Kevin was spot on about this article! I’ll just add that songs don’t necessarily have to focus on the pain we face in our Christian walks, but rather in the joy we have by our faith in Christ. Keep focusing on the pain, and you’ll be feeling it a whole lot more. But focus on what Jesus Christ has done, who He is, the forgiveness of our sins against God, the new life He gives us, the victory over Satan we have, and the plethora of benefits of being a child of God… and then your perspective will shift from depressiveness to optimistic hope in God no matter your circumstances or conditions.
In Acts 16, after Paul and Silas were unjustly arrested, dragged, stripped and flogged, and imprisoned… does it say that they just sang about their woes of life and pain of their beating? NO! They prayed and sang hymns to God with the other prisoners listening intently to them, amazed that these two guys were still willing to sing with joy… not doom and gloom. So, focus on the pain? Pointless. Focus on the Christ? Everything changes and circumstances become hopeful.
YES! Finally…someone who gets me!!!
I sit in the church meeting and squirm at the offerings that are supposed to be inspirational songs.
Song lyrics ( which are very akin to poetry) like poetry, fall down if they are formed from sentimentality. That is because sentimentality is false emotion and manipulation.
The contemporary ” Christian ” songs I hear, exhibit sentimentality.
It is just obvious that the writers have not experienced the emotions that they try to depict. I know because I am an old fellow and I’ve been up and down in life for years longer than the writers of contemporary style church music. Their depiction of the landscape of life does not match what I have seen and experienced.
So the concocted expressions of deep feelings from these contemporary lyricists are false, they have never felt them.
And they are manipulative. Sentimental images demand that we feel sad because they say we should or feel happy because they say we should.
The real poets and lyricists , such as the psalmists, were unsentimental, sometimes to the point of brutal reality. They just told it like it is from their real experience and vision and left it up to the reader or hearer to decide what to make of it all.
I fear that the anaemic sentimentality that passes for Christian song lyrics is another sign of an institution in severe decline.
“It is just obvious that the writers have not experienced the emotions that they try to depict. I know because I am an old fellow and I’ve been up and down in life for years longer than the writers of contemporary style church music. ”
Just because one is an “old fellow” or “old gal” does not mark them as ABLE to distinguish one’s experience and expression as authentic or false. That is for God to decide. As the bible says, Man looks at the outer appearance but God examines the heart. This frame of mindset is one of the church’s letal issues. Many times we tell people how they should experience and expres towards God when the he bible already has that covered. Yet, we still feel the need and then division is born.
If you feel like there is a perspective that is missing in the genre of christian music, then you bring it. If not, then pray that God will raise up songwriters/musicians with the heart and perspective you have. So, you and other like you can also be edified through song.
Bashing and discrediting current musicians isn’t the way to go.
I would also like to add the fact that there is nothing wrong with experiencing or expressing emotions. I’ve heard many people discourage christians to tap into their emotions. They are failing to realize that emotions aren’t the manifestation of the sin in our lives. They are apart of the intentional design God had for us. It is apart of what makes us human.
I would also also like to add that there is nothing wrong with being creative and using poetic devices in song. First, the bible itself using poetic devices throughout the entire book. From prophecy to psalms to the gospels and even tp the history books. So why, discourage songwriters/musicians to not do the same. Also, it’s MUSIC. Music aims to evoke an emotion and experience through tonal and lyrical influences. So…..it would probably be boring if it didn’t have. Being creative is also in the confines of being godly. Because God is the best artist that IS. He’s creative everything that exists and there are some magical, weird, awesome, beautiful creations. So….yeah. lol
Hi! Check out American gospel music! There is generally a marriage of hope and pain that pretty accurately captures the human experience. I agree with some of your points in relation to the contemporary Christian music realm, but it might help if you branch out from wailing guitars and check out some “hands n feet” or organ songs!
Hello Kevin, Just to clarify a few points that you brought up.
Yes, God examines the heart but that doesn’t mean that we can know nothing. Jesus said that the words we use show what is in the heart.
Sure, being older doesn’t confer unerring insight but the NT church valued elders for a reason. Discernment from experience is not discounted in the scripture. I do know the difference between a real flower and a plastic flower.
I’m afraid that to say that my “frame of mindset” is a ” lethal issue ” looks suspiciously like a heart judgement that you have assured us is God’s prerogative.
You challenge me to bring a missing perspective to the genre of church music, but that is exactly what I was doing by making the comment.
Just a couple of corrections’
I didn’t say how anyone should feel and express. Did I ?
I never said that people should not express emotion or feelings.
I never said that being creative was wrong and I would most certainly encourage our song writers to take a lead from the wonderful poetic devices of the Bible .
And could it be that creativeness is intrinsic to godliness ( and worship ) and do we regard God as the great artist and genius of all things beautiful and exhilarating. Yes, yes, a thousand times Yes.
As a Christian who is a song writer, I have been left cold by virtually all so called “worship” music. I can’t listen to it, and I don’t write that way. The reason? The music and lyrics themselves are cold. Worship music writers seem to think that they have to stop being human. as such, they remind me of eastern mantra singers, mindlessly mouthing adoration of God while fully detached from the present universe where we all live, suffer, and die.
There is this attitude that to express emotion toward anything other than God is illegal. But, honestly, do we really seek a God that demands that all of His creation shut up and stare at Him adoringly forever? Why were we created with minds and hearts if God wants love zombies?
Throughout all civilizations and human history, music has expressed our deepest, most personal, most vulnerable emotions of all. But to be a modern Christian, they tell me, means forgetting that humans have emotions for anything except God. And that means that most people don’t want anything to do with modern Christianity. Because they want a God that enters into their pain with them, understands it, and heals it–not a God that tells them to shut up and worship.
I would point out to all my fellow songwriters that when Jesus was asked “what is the greatest commandment”, He said two things, not one: to love the Lord your God, and to love your neighbor. Now, here is the question: did God love his neighbor as Himself? Yes! Jesus came here, lived it, became acquainted with our sorrows, experienced loneliness, loss, and betrayal, and was dragged off and executed because He loved His neighbor.
Music isn’t designed to fulfill just the first part of the commandment. If you express love for God in your music but no love for anyone else, you are not fulfilling the first and greatest commandment, because you are not loving your neighbor as yourself.
There is a crucial verse in the new testament: “bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ”. Burden-bearing is the fulfillment of the law! Burden-bearing is the second half of the greatest commandment!
Therefore, I write songs that are meant to express my deepest emotions, with the hope that when others relate to them, they will also seek the same Source of comfort that I have found, and turn to the one who bore my burdens. I seek to bear the burdens of others with the comfort of music, just as David did for Saul. Perhaps then they will understand just how deep and personally God loves them!
That’s why I have such a problem with so much of modern Christian music. There are two camps: those who want to sound just like secular music without any depth, and those who want to express worship directly to God, without any depth. But if the song doesn’t wrench my heart, it hasn’t done the job that music was designed for. Music that bears burdens FULFILLS THE LAW OF CHRIST.
I must point out that the great appeal of secular music is its ability to reach into the heart of the listener, expressing feelings that they can relate to, in words that are beautiful and memorable; the truly great songwriters write songs that make people WANT to sing along. I would ventuere to say that secular songwriters have provided a great substitute for “burden-bearing” which doesn’t offer eternal life. Why can’t Christians write their songs to bear the burdens of the listener, lifting their spirits through emotional kinship, then pointing them in the direction of the truly awesome love of God?
Well said John. My personal opinion is that when prayer is involved in songwriting and the songwriter is submitted to God and allows the Holy Spirit to lead them, then the song will have the message that God wants His people to hear, much the same as a Pastor who writes a sermon, God Bless you.
Excellent insight John.
So called contemporary Christian songs so often appear to be performance pieces for a solo performer , to draw attention to the performer.
This seems to be a departure from the time when church songs or hymns were congregational songs; people in a community and expressing to one another and to God their common experience in God.
We must decrease he must increase. Thank you for all your inputs. I feel the worship music now a days is more like a arena theatrical performance. I don’t know if it is a love song to a girlfriend or what. And really those repetitious lines over and over enough to get me dizzy and get me to fall right out of the pew.
We are talking about the creator of the universe. Not a buddy…Not someone to cheer us us on ” you go girl”.
We serve a holy mighty God. I feel that certain ” Look at me” worship music cheapens who he really is. I am a songwriter and pianist and I will follow the holy spirit. I don’t need a pat or thumbs up. I feel humbled to declare and write, sing of his grace mercy but also changing power. It’s all about “Jesus”.
My husband has recorded a couple of albums, toured with a band briefly, and wrote all his songs about the trials and tribulations he’s experienced in life, including physical illness (chronic disease, and constant pain), mental illness and depression, ptsd, etc. He’s had a life of suffering. His music is incredible and his voice is beautiful and he plays guitar. I am thinking of researching artists looking for that type of music, as he is disabled now, and can’t play as much. He has blessed many lives with his music, as all people can relate. He always says, if he can touch even one life, its worth it. He has an incredible story, and a passion for God I have never seen in a man.
I cry on the inside
Just like you take a can of pop and you shake it all about and it builds up
The pressures so extreme once released it will just explode
That’s the way I feel inside with my head it feels like TNT
One day it will ignite and I know it will be the end of me
I stutter and I stammer and I see that it is all no use
No one seems to care as I explain of all of the abuse
My heart is so hard it’s been transformed into a heart of stone
I sit here in tears in the dark feeling lost I’m all alone
Chorus
Yes, I cry on the inside so that no one can see all my tears
I cry on the inside so that no one can see all my fears
Yes, I cry on the inside my problems they are magnified
I cry on the inside and I know I want to run and hide
Yes, I cry on the inside so that no one can see all my tears
I cry on the inside it’s been tormenting me for many years
Yes, I cry on the inside and I know that I have really tried
I cry on the inside and I know that I am petrified
I sit in my room with my hands cradled on my head
My mind in turmoil tries to sleep and I wish that I was dead
No one understands how I think so I guess I am to blame
When I close my eyes at night in my tears I try to hide my shame
I stare at the wall and try to talk but get no reply
My tears all dried up feeling lost unable now to cry
A recluse as I tremble always shaking I am feeling cold
Scared of my thoughts in my soul now I know I’ve lost control
Chorus
Yes, I cry on the inside so that no one can see all my tears
I cry on the inside so that no one can see all my fears
Yes, I cry on the inside my problems they are magnified
I cry on the inside and I know I want to run and hide
Yes, I cry on the inside so that no one can see all my tears
I cry on the inside it’s been tormenting me for many years
Yes, I cry on the inside and I know that I have really tried
I cry on the inside and I know that I am petrified
Written by Chris Turner
May 15, 2017
http://chriscampbellturner.blogspot.ca/
“Terrified”
I’m terrified of myself I was always to blame
Deep down in my soul made to feel so much shame
Sometimes I am sinking into a deep, deep dark hole
It’s a rocky road ahead not feeling very close to God
Feeling lonely I’d say most times with things going through my mind
Feeling empty on the inside as I’m figuring out life
Sometimes I won’t admit it when I’m not in control
Like a whirlwind, blowing, spinning as it penetrates my soul
Sometimes I look for God I keep thinking He don’t care
It’s just another fleeting moment as I’m pulling out my hair
It’s the words that we say as we’re passing through this life
They cut deep into your heart just sharp as a knife
Sometimes it leaves a wound and sometimes it leaves a scar
Swirling around inside your mind telling us who we are
Just like poison in our veins we scream, we scream and we cry
It is then that it kills us as we give up and die
Written by Chris Turner
October 30th, 2015
http://chriscampbellturner.blogspot.ca/
“Hidden Fences”©
All the people walking around, thoughts, running through their head
Not telling anyone for fear of things, that just might be said
There are things that they won’t talk about of secrets, they just can’t say
They keep them bottled up inside to them, it’s just another day
In a prison of torment and pain, the past won’t let them go
Their mind cannot function as it should, their self-esteem is low
All the sadness and anxiousness like a poison, running through their veins
Depression and worthlessness, the doubts, are driving them insane
Chorus
Hidden fences built so high so that no one can see into their life
Hidden fences all around them it’s the only way that they can deal with strife
Hidden fences their protection, so that all, the world cannot see
Hidden fences cage them in, locked away, inside their sanctuary
The fence is so high, like a fortress, you cannot enter in
It’s the place where they bide, living life, they know they cannot win
They just won’t let you in, there’s no gate, to keep you all outside
They live a lonely bitter life; it’s where they go when they want to hide.
Chorus
Hidden fences built so high so that no one can see into their life
Hidden fences all around them it’s the only way that they can deal with strife
Hidden fences their protection so that all the world cannot see
Hidden fences cage them in, locked away, inside their sanctuary
Written by Chris Turner
January 12, 2016
http://chriscampbellturner.blogspot.ca/
Jeremy, very powerful. Thank you.
I GOT ISSUES
Music & lyrics by Paul Shell
copyright 2016
I got issues. I got demons.
I got no place to lay my head.
My friends, they put me out to beg,
I can’t get up off my bed,
But if I could only touch the hem
I’d be free.
Yes, if I could only touch the hem
I’d be free.
But I got deafness in my eardrums.
I got blindness in my eyes.
I long to tell someone they’re loved so much,
but my tongue seems paralyzed.
I am fevered, I am withered,
I got social leprosy.
When the monthly threats come in the mail,
I got no cash on me.
But if I could only touch the hem,
I’d be free.
Yes, if I could only touch the hem,
I’d be free.
Unknown weasels in my bloodstream.
I got ringing in my ears.
The doctor says to pay my bill up,
‘Cause I might soon not be here.
But if I could only touch the hem,
I’d be free.
Yes if I could only touch the hem I’d be free.
Oh, they push me away.
They push me away,
When I am reaching out.
Oh, don’t push me away.
Don’t push me away.
I am not clothed in doubt.
But I got issues. I got demons.
I got no place to lay my head.
I can’t sleep for all my worries.
All my meanings are misread,
But if I could only touch the hem,
I’d be free.
Yes, if I could only touch the hem,
I’d be free.
Oh, if I could only touch the hem,
I’d be free.
This song & more on Soundcloud. Search for Paul Shell.
Hello Jeremy
I agree with you and I am a creative writer CARE( Creative. Artistic. Rewarding. Expressions) and I write Daily Devotions, Poems and Articles every week. I add music to my poems expressing more of what I want to say. I have been in the counselling industry for 15 years and I went through a lot my self. I post on Facebook and Linkedin and I know people are looking for something they can relate to and music with good lyrics that touch their hearts and help with their healing. Sometimes lyrics are the only thing that comforts and understands and the music sooth their souls. Take Care
Hey man it’s funny cause I came across this page while searching for songwriting contests, and I wanted to enter this new song I wrote. It just so happens that this song is about pain!
I’d love for you to take a listen.
It’s called, “I Just Wanna Scream”
https://www.reverbnation.com/scottwilliamperry/song/29704718-i-just-wanna-scream
Just curious to get your opinion on the current state of Christian music. Is it continuing to miss the mark from a perspective of “not everyday is sunny and bright?”
It sounds to me like you want to hear from those who have gone through some pain and suffering and allowed it to drive them closer to God instead of blaming HIM for their circumstance. Maybe you would be interested in the one I titled: “The Love of God”. It starts with, “Why is there so much pain, when there’s suppose to be love.
Then do I have songs for you. I don’t write alot of happy happy songs or bloody ones. Would love to send you some of my lyrics
I have those songs, I have been through the pain. But I do not have the boldness to sing them to people. I sing them to God, who gave the words to me.
Thank you for the article.
There’s so much I want to say to this. Honestly, it sounds like you’re only listening to one genre of Christian music. Praise & Worship. By definition, this genre is about praise… and worship lol. Furthermore, you say ‘enough with the gory blood of Jesus’ and in the very next paragraph you say you want to hear more about Christians suffering and in pain! I hope you can see how ironic that sounds. Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. We sing about him shedding his blood with joy because the Bible says that it’s by his blood, his pain, and His sacrifice that we are healed! It’s victory. Lastly, as a Christian songwriter I agree that more mainstream Christian music needs to be real. But maybe it’s time you turn of the JoyFM. Just saying. Look up Bryan Trejo (former gang member), Bizzle (former pimp), No Malice (former convict), and Monica Hill Trejo (former drug addict). Heck, even NF who is a Christian sings in the mainstream about depression, trauma, etc. and when you’ve heard from them, look up “In My Arms” by Refugee (me and my husband) where we talk about my miscarriage. If you want to hear more of my stuff go on my Facebook @dsfwriter and watch my videos.
God Bless ❤️
Huh. . . . So, believers who are musically inclined cannot legitimately express their love and praise of God in song . . . ?
I hate him God, I hate him!
Slash his tires,
May his house start on fire.
Let him get sick and die!
Where are you God?
You said you will never leave.
But I don’t see you,
And so I don’t believe.
🙂 I probably can see David singing that, when I look at sentences like “break their teeth” in his psalms…. I have to agree with you here. I don’t like Christian music for probably all the reasons you mentioned here…. I cannot connect or relate with their lyrics, the same way O would connect with David’s psalms.
I know, extremely late on this, but… if you don’t want songs to be full of joy, then how should it sound? Worship should be a way of humbling ourselves, and admit God is greater, you must be some sort of troll. There are good songs that are full of happiness . You sound like a troll.